Winter Morning at Abbaye de La Cambre, Belgium, 2022

A black and white photograph of the outside grounds of the Abbaye de La Cambre in Brussels, Belgium prior to the sunrise. — *Path to the Abbey, Brussels, Belgium*

This past February/March, I had the opportunity to visit my daughter in Brussels, Belgium. Though the trip’s intent wasn’t sightseeing and photography, I did manage to get out a few times to explore in the 3-weeks I was there.

I arose before sunrise on the first day out and arrived at the La Cambre Abbey (Abbaye de La Cambre).

It was still winter, with signs of spring in the air. Most noticeable is that the days were getting longer. The first cherry blossoms were showing, and the hyacinths were blooming.

As I approached the main entrance to the abbey grounds, this curving gravel pathway caught my eye. It was still dark, and the exterior lights glowed on the old brick walls.

A black and white photograph of the Abbaye de La Cambre reflecting into a pond in Brussels, Belgium. — *Reflections of the Abbey, Brussels, Belgium*

I wandered past the abbey church to a small pond, a source of the Maalbeek Creek. I set up my camera to capture the buildings reflecting into the calm waters.

Runners and dog walkers passed by as I waited for the morning sun to strike the church steeple. Groundkeepers were in and out of my frame, and a duck paid a brief visit to the pond, disrupting the smooth waters.

Here is a short video I made for sharing the experience of that morning. You can watch it on YouTube HERE.

YouTube player — Behind the Scenes: Photographing at the Abbaye de La Cambre, Brussels, Belgium

Once satisfied with my reflection photo, I moved on. Proceeding through the manicured grounds, I made photos of interesting architectural elements.

As the morning progressed, the grounds became busy. It was time to move on.

A black and white photograph of the courtyard of the abbey school building at Abbaye de La Cambre in Brussels, Belgium. — *The Abbey School, Abbaye de La Cambre, Belgium*

Even though the abbey is a popular attraction, it’s a pleasant reprieve from the surrounding city. The location in a valley shelters the grounds from the urban noise. Here, one can find peace and something close to nature. The abbey is a must-visit if in Brussels.

A black and white photograph of the La Chapelle Saint-Boniface on the grounds of the Abbaye de La Cambre in Brussels, Belgium. — *La Chapelle Saint-Boniface, Brussels, Belgium*

About the La Cambre Abbey.

Founded in 1196, Abbaye de La Cambre sustained severe damage during the Wars of Religion. The rebuilding began in the 16th century; then expanded in the 18th century. Parts of the church date from the 14th century, maintaining their medieval character.